Review: Enchanting Exposition (Demon Magic Book 4) by Alice Winters

Rating: 5🌈

“The scream that explodes from within Menace would put a dying banshee to shame.”

So begins Enchanting Exposition, book four in Alice Winters’ marvelous fantasy romance series.

If this is the last in the Demon Magic series, then I’m going to be sad because I absolutely love this universe. But I’ll also be very satisfied because of the way Winters has left the all characters, ok maybe most, happily settled in their lives. All after a wildly terrifying, exhilarating, and emotional adventure that brings the original Geoff narrative to a close.

Geoff, the fiendish mage whose diabolical plans is at the very heart of so much misery and death, will be the basis for much of the story here. The author weaves in all the many painful backgrounds of the characters , established beings and new characters, so that this series arc can finally end. It’s powerful, imaginative, certainly has the hallmarks of the Winters’ take with humor and terror intermixed, along with a great deal of romance and love. Not just between Havoc and Miles. That’s front and center, and totally entertaining.

What else is outright hilarious? Menace and his reactions to Cottontuff. More , love this.

And Marco. Somehow, Marco (my beauty is my contribution) and Lachlan’s developing relationship is everything this book. Along with Evan, Etienne, Dyame combo, even Nicco. Not sure who else I’ve left out, someone I’m sure. Everyone showed up and it was absolutely scarily splendid!

We get a great new character and I’d really love to see more of him . There’s an interesting dynamic we’re left with that needs to be explored.

Miles and Havoc? Happy! So so happy.

Enchanting Exposition (Demon Magic Book 4) by Alice Winters is a must read and fabulous book. It’s a definite recommend in a series I deeply enjoyed. Read them all!

Demon Magic

✓ Happy Endings #1

✓ Familiar Beginnings #2

✓ Malicious Midpoint #3

✓ Enchanting Exposition #4

Buy link

Enchanting Exposition (Demon Magic Book 4)

Blurb

Maybe it wasn’t my best idea to draw dark magic into myself to save a friend… but it’s definitely not my worst (don’t ask Havoc what that was). The first thing on our list of “Save Miles from the Dark Magic That Might Be Making Him Do Ridiculous Things” is to destroy the ominous book that’s snagging my attention. But what I don’t expect is to be dragged into the book filled with dark mysteries that leaves me with more questions… and a lack of pants.

But it’s nothing that Havoc and I can’t handle. The two of us have proven that our relationship is strong enough that we can face anything life throws at us, so I think we can handle a measly book… maybe… I mean, so far it may look like we’re not winning, but that’s just because it’d be boring if heroes won immediately.

And it’s not like we have to fight this battle alone, especially with an awe-inspiring dragon familiar who is forced to face his greatest adversary (a common housecat), a narcissistic angel who comes with a sword that compliments every cut made, a centaur who always manages to look like he’s on the set of a cologne commercial, and… Etienne (whatever he is).

With the demon I love by my side and my found family, we’re going to stop this darkness before it spreads. But doing so might unveil some things we never expected.

• Publication date: May 21, 2024

• Language: English

• Print length: 317 pages

Review: Baby Queen (The Court Book 3) by Charlie Novak

Rating: 4.5🌈

The Court, a series, a drag family ,and fabulous old theatre that’s the home to all three, has just gotten even better with the latest addition of it’s new novel and group of characters. It’s definitely my favorite to date in so many ways.

Novak’s main characters come from the opposite ends of the Drag Queen story. One is a recognized star! Barbie Summers, a winner of Drag Stars UK but due to some criminal management and her own naivety has had to return home full of debt and heartbreak. The other? A baby Queen, without a name or anything but a vague idea about her identity, needing guidance and the support to find her own way.

That’s the Queens. And we will get all the others who work, laugh, and snark as family at The Court. Eva Nessence, Bubblegum Galaxy, Moxxie Toxxic, the Twins, I love them all.

But there’s also who these people are when they aren’t in drag. And the chapters designate them as such. Barbie/Anthony and Colin/? have ex boyfriends who have left them with emotional scars, poor body imagery, and so much doubt about themselves and their self worth. That’s the journey that’s woven through their stories as both struggle with finding an identity as a Queen (Colin), renewed faith for her profession (Barbie), and a layered great loving relationship between them.

It’s got pole dancing, Queens, PhD’s in jizz, so much laughter and tears and love. What a great story to read.

Novak introduces quite a few new fascinating characters, seen only in glimpses. But it’s enough for me to want to know more about them. So much more.

It was fun seeing characters from the Heather Bay series (Like I Pretended) make appearances in a couple of ways here. Might have to reread the book again.

And Novak is going to give the readers another connected series,

Lincoln Knights Rugby Club, when Mason and Ryan (Legs ) get their HEA in The Tighthead.

Then hopefully it’s back to more Queens.

I highly recommend this series and book. It’s such a joyous read. And a grand group of characters to watch get their HEA.

The Court:

✅Drama Queen #1

✅Scene Queen #2

✅Baby Queen #3

Connected series:

Heather Bay series – 6 books

Lincoln Knights Rugby Club:

The Tighthead – coming soon

Buy link

Baby Queen (The Court Book 3)

Blurb

Note to self: falling for the new queen you’re mentoring will only lead to trouble.

Being broke, single, and homeless after winning the UK’s biggest drag show wasn’t how my life was supposed to go. I’m meant to be the one with everything, but thanks to an unscrupulous tour company I’ve got nothing but my image and a mountain of debt.

Moving back home with my mum and taking the first gig I’m offered in a local drag panto is supposed to help me get back on my feet, but meeting Colin tangles me up more than ever.

Colin desperately wants to start doing drag and suddenly I’m helping a baby queen find her feet while falling head over heels for the man behind the lashes.

We all know mixing these power dynamics is a recipe for trouble, but my life is already a mess. Will falling for Colin really spell disaster or is he the only thing keeping me upright in my seven-inch heels?

• Publication date: May 23, 2024

• Language: English

• Print length: 288 pages

Review: The Men from Echo Creek by N. R. Walker

Rating: 3.5🌈

The Men from Echo Creek is the latest release by N. R. Walker, a historical romance that takes place in the Snowy Mountain region of Australia in 1882.

Even with its historical timeline, there’s aspects of the book very reminiscent of my favorite movie, The Man from Snowy River. The location, the horses and expert riding on unbelievable terrain, brumbies, a romantic story, and adversity with a neighbor/rancher.

Here it is 19 year old Albie Bramwell whose father has just died, leaving Albie the owner of an extremely large alpine farm and having to run and manage it without his father’s help and direction.

It’s not going well until a stranger, Percy Collins, appears in town looking for a job. Percy finds a job, and in Albie someone who needs him and then finds that he’s stumbled into a place that’s home.

That’s the framework of the story. And it’s a good one. The characters are interesting, including the two other men who live on the farm with them. That’s Robert, a recovering alcoholic, and the farm manager, Des, a man with a leg injury that’s continuing to bother him.

Two women will come later. There’s also a town, Alpine Falls, and the Stricklands, the power family of the area.

While Walker lays down multiple storylines and potential dramatic scenarios, only some of the scenes here really have the power to connect with the reader and leap off the page. Much of this has to do with the land and the horses, all of which Walker has proven she has the ability to make vivid and compelling. When all four men are chasing the mob across the land, you are with them. It’s thrilling. Whenever Albie and Percy, or Des and Percy take the horses and head out , the descriptions of the mountains and scrub, the cold and mists are real .

Other scenes too bring home Albie’s youth and desperate situations in town. Those are some of the best moments of interactions for raw emotions.

But the romance between Albie and Percy? I don’t know why but I was never quite invested. Liked them both but their relationship never felt like it had any chemistry. Friends yes. But more? Not really. And we never really got to know Albie’s story or anything about his father . Not sure why there’s no foundation for much of any character here but the lack of one makes these characters seem less filled out.

And so much of the rest of the story feels flat or rushed. The women move in and they are just forgotten, except for a sentence or two here and there. Backgrounds for Des and Robert are never supplied even though they are major characters . And the whole element where Strickland went from the bad guy to , well, if not good, maybe grayish guy. Then he’s done with. After a big build up.

It’s too many dropped plot points for me. Just things that don’t fit or make sense with the story.

So it’s enjoyable but not my favorite NR Walker book. Need cowboys from this author? Read her Red Dirt Heart series. That’s a reread for me.

Great cover by Reese Dante

Buy link

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.com › Men-E…The Men From Echo Creek eBook : Walker, N.R.: Kindle Store

Blurb

In the winter of 1882, a boy from the mountains has to prove himself a man.

~*~

When Albie Bramwell’s father died, he was left with two thousand hectares of mountain to farm, and little help to run it. Abandoned by all but two of his workers, the whole town of Alpine Falls called him too young to run the farm alone.

Young, yes. At just nineteen, he was determined to prove them wrong. Even if it killed him.

In search of a new life, Percy Collins found himself in a small mountain town where he ran into a man not much older than himself and scored a job at Echo Creek. A property full of misfits, or so the townsfolk had called it. But what Percy found was a home.

What Albie found was something he never thought possible. A man to love, and a man to share his dreams.

But times were tough, the winter harsh, and money scarce. Albie and Percy would need to do more than prove themselves worthy. They’d need to not only prove themselves better than anyone else. They’d need to prove it twice.

• Publisher: BlueHeart Press (May 17, 2024)

• Publication date: May 17, 2024

• Language: English

• Print length: 400 pages

Review: Psyched to Death: A Jamie Brodie Mystery (Jamie Brodie Mysteries Book 6) by Meg Perry

Rating: 4.5🌈

Psyched to Death, sixth in Meg Perry’s Jamie Brodie Mysteries series, brings complications to Jamie and his stumbling relationship with psychology professor, Pete. Trouble comes from multiple directions when a past acquaintance turns up dead as it’s not just a random person but someone who was deeply involved with a previous investigation and has ties to Pete’s work.

Perry is working on so many levels here. Its an impressive writing juggling achievement, especially as all the sensitive, potentially explosive areas such as Jamie and Pete’s ongoing personal relationship issues, Pete’s horrific SA childhood traumatic history, and different family dynamics impact on children’s development.

Throw in heartbreaking murders, complicated friendships and histories that bring forth pain, grief, and healing for those characters here, and Perry has written a strong novel that one of the best books so far in the series.

Yes, it’s a definite recommendation.

The Jamie Brodie Mysteries – 23 books

✓ Cited to Death

✓ Hoarded to Death

✓ Burdened to Death

✓ Researched to Death

✓ Encountered to Death

✓ Psyched to Death

◦ Stacked to Death

◦ Stoned to Death

◦ Talked to Death

◦ Avenged to Death

◦ Played to Death

◦ Filmed to Death

◦ Trapped to Death

◦ Promoted to Death

◦ Published to Death

◦ Cloistered to Death

◦ Haunted to Death

◦ Obsessed to Death

◦ Deserted to Death

◦ Drugged to Death

◦ Resigned to Death

◦ Snowed to Death

◦ Enchanted to Death

Dirty Laundry: The Jamie Brodie Short Stories (Jamie Brodie Mysteries)

Sequel series:

An Angeles Investigations Mystery

◦ Cheated to Death: Book 1

◦ Hunted to Death Book 2

Buy links:

Psyched to Death: A Jamie Brodie Mystery (Jamie Brodie Mysteries Book 6)

Blurb:

Who killed Matt Bendel? The police suspect his partner, Elliott Conklin, the assistant chair of the psychology department at Santa Monica College. Elliott was found with the body, covered in blood – and he doesn’t have an alibi. Elliott wants Pete Ferguson to help clear his name. But Pete doesn’t have time – he’s had to take over one of Elliott’s classes – and he thinks Elliott might be guilty.

Jamie Brodie isn’t so sure. Matt had a secret that may have gotten him killed. The investigation of that secret leads to someone from Jamie’s past – and another death that will change Jamie forever.

• Publisher: (May 27, 2014)

• Publication date: May 27, 2014

• Language: English

• Print length: 164 pages

Review: Hunted (Into the Wyldewood Book 2) by Rowan McAllister

Rating: 3.75🌈

It’s been a while since I read the first book in the series, Hexes and Horns, so getting back into this universe needed prompting from the author for necessary foundation work.

There’s some really good elements here and some I feel need better explanation or more detail to feel complete.

The characters are terrific. The mixed pack of shifters trying to pull it together on the edge of an uneasy otherworldly boundary situation is a great element. It adds so much natural tension and believable shifting pack dynamics that I wish we’d had more of this aspect of the story. From Grammy, CJ, and various other pack members, the rawness and energy of this stressful scene came through perfectly.

Especially with its Alpha, Angel Velasquez, who has his own struggles to overcome, along with the otherworldly dealings and beings to deal with to ensure that the pack is safe. That includes murky agreements with one of the Fae over someone Angel has agreed to give sanctuary to.

That’s the mysterious Dafydd. His story and background very slowly reveals itself, almost too slowly. We figure out pretty quickly what type of being he is but not why he’s in danger.

That background is extremely difficult to understand and too complicated for the events that follow. It’s not well laid out narratively nor are all the vague clues as to his species history or strangely mysterious individuals that are important to this aspect of the story but without any firm foundation.

It’s frustrating that we get great characters but holes in the storylines and universe building when needed.

Like an unacknowledged mate bond. Why not just go ahead and cement that aspect of their relationship? It made no sense to leave it as one more cloudy element .

I enjoy this author and find she very imaginative and entertaining. This book has many good elements, enough to make it an enjoyable read.

Into the Wyldewood:

Hexes and Horns #1

Hunted #2

Buy link

Hunted (Into the Wyldewood Book 2)

Blurb

Keeping their distance is the safest path, but sometimes magic and the heart make other plans.

For pack alpha, Angel Velasquez, every day is a struggle to keep his head above water. Between running his bar, paying back a mountain of debt, and protecting his pack from dark witches, the Fae, and anyone else just waiting for a sign of weakness, he already has more than he can handle. The last thing he needs is a refugee from Faerie dumped in his lap, no matter how sweet and sexy he might be. But when an elven prince calls in a debt, refusal is not an option.

Dafydd hates keeping secrets almost as much as being seen as a burden. A dragon is supposed to be fierce, proud, and self-reliant. Betrayed by those he thought he could trust most and forced to run from the only home he’s ever known, he isn’t feeling very dragonly. Is it any wonder Angel can’t see him as an equal, someone worthy of his time and possibly his affection?

As Halloween approaches and their bond grows despite every reason it shouldn’t, what will they risk to protect each other when the real hunt begins?

Hunted is an over 100k slow burn romance featuring a cinnamon roll of a dragon, a grumpy alpha, meddling pack, mysterious neighbor and a guaranteed HEA. Each book of Into the Wyldewood can be read separately but are best experienced in order.

Review: One Night With The Nanny (Nannies of New York Book 6) by K. Sterling

Rating: 5🌈

Nannies of New York is one of my favorite contemporary series. It’s been a memorable journey for a found family of Manhattan nannies who find themselves first in a position to help a family heal and thrive, then love finds them, placing them directly within the heart of the family they have come to love.

Each story has been framed out by elements of psychological drama, historical stories of love and tragedy, trauma and losses. And each new emotional venture turns into something marvelous, full of joy, laughter, often moving scenes as well as hot, sexual moments. All guaranteed to make these characters feel vivid, deeply realized and loved by the reader.

Never more so than in the story of Reid Marshall, co-founder, along with Gavin, his non sexual soulmate, of The Marshall Agency, the exclusive LGBTQIA nanny company at the heart of the series.

In the last book, we saw a hidden side of Reid’s life where his need to keep his sexual lifestyle secret, which he’s turned into a one night a week affair. It’s complete with its own clothes and accessories, and limited to certain bars. But things immediately go awry when a distraught older royal with family problems gets added into the mix.

Maximilian, Margrave of Hessen, who has two daughters he is desperate to connect with. Max is so unique in the cast of characters we have come to know but it turns out he’s perfect. Watching him yearn for his daughter’s understanding and love is painful and heartbreaking. Getting it is heartfelt and so amazing.

And the relationship between Max and Reid that slowly built and with great emotional work is truly everything. It’s funny, wrenching, incredibly sexy, and thought provoking.

A sticking point for Reid is his deep love and commitment to Gavin, his platonic soulmate, and their family that’s gathered around them. He finds it difficult to believe that anyone would want to be an equal partner with him in this situation. It’s never given a name. Gavin has a sexual relationship and loving partner in Dash who accepts that Reid will always be a part of their relationship. Polyamory? What’s in a name. It’s not given one here, just that they are all a unit. Such a great well written aspect of this book and series.

Also their sexual relationship and preferences which are very D/s and beautifully layered into their own stories and personalities but into their romance as it develops.

Sterling hits one high narrative note after another. I laughed, shook my head at the antics and confusion displayed by the characters, maybe cried at certain moments, and fanned myself at certain scenes. But always I was deeply engaged and emotional involved with everyone here. Each and everyone.

I was wondering if this was the end of the nannies. But another interesting development showed up, a character who has been popping up here and there. Apparently he’s next!

This is a series I’m thrilled to recommend. But do read them in order. It’s a fabulous journey and watching them find love, learning about the Marshall family, and all the wonderful people and dynamics is a joy to revisit.

Especially the romance of The King of Nannies and the Prince! So fantastic!

Nannies of New York :

✓ The Last Nanny In Manhattan #1

✓ Giles Ashby Needs A Nanny #2

✓ The Handy Nanny #3

✓ The Enchanting Nanny #4

✓ The Nanny with The Nice List #5

✓ One Night With The Nanny #6

Buy Link:

One Night With The Nanny: Nannies of New York Book 6

Blurb

Once upon a glitzy Manhattan night, a nanny finds himself in a royal mess.

The Marshall Agency may have begun on a whim, but it’s no accident that it’s considered the best in Manhattan. Everything goes exactly as planned because Reid Marshall only does things one way: his way.

Reid’s content with the life he has built with his platonic soulmate, Gavin, but knows his friends and family would be shocked at what he gets up to off the clock.

Maximilian, Margrave of Hessen, knows a thing or two about living a lie. Desperate to mend his relationship with his daughters, Max turns to the Marshall Agency’s headstrong founder for help. Only to find they have already met.

Max wants more than one night with the nanny and intends to win the fiercely independent younger man’s heart. Can Reid resist, or will he too succumb to love and live happily ever after?

One Night with the Nanny is Book 6 of the Nannies of New York series. It’s a fairytale rom-com with a twist, featuring fake dating, found family, a one-night stand that turns into more, and a struggling single dad who happens to be a Prince.

• Publisher: Bawdy Books (May 16, 2024)

• Publication date: May 16, 2024

• Language: English

• Print length: 318 pages

Review: Temperance (Damned Connections Book 3) by Lark Taylor

Rating: 4.75🌈

Damned Connections is the sequel series to the original Reckless Damn Series about the rebelling four sons of Lucifer, finding their mates ,and the war with their father. It’s an excellent series.

But I’m finding that Damned Connections is even better, imo. It’s still got the original characters but now we’re focusing on the aftermath and the characters on the edge of their group. And the ones affected by the war. It’s an extraordinary journey.

Now it’s Toby and Blaise’s time for their stories to be told and Taylor has outdone herself with a narrative of incredible emotional depth and intelligence .

Taylor has incorporated the elements of BDSM and D/s in such a way that readers who don’t read this type of thing or think that they don’t understand it will find themselves absolutely absorbed into this relationship. It’s a Dom/ sub relationship that works through each other’s needs and desires as well as those aspects of play that they don’t want to include. It’s clearly discussed as adults and spanking is the top discipline here.

But Blaise is fighting for his life in that his guilt is literally driven him down. The emotional tension and despair attached to him is real and extremely intense.

Toby isn’t the bartender vampire he’s seemed in the previous books and the revelations of his true nature are astonishing.

The exploration of Blaise’s past and the journey between them drew me in like no other. It was 3 am before I realized I was still reading. And often sobbing.

The only reason this didn’t get a 5 star rating is because there was so much “as told to” sections as the author had to fill in the reader with different details about certain aspects of a couple’s story from a book and timeline pertinent to this story.

Temperance (Damned Connections Book 3) runs in the same time period as some of the other books so it’s necessary for Taylor to pinpoint exactly where in the timeline this is happening . Especially if you haven’t read the other books.

But it drags the narrative down in a way and changes the perspective in some cases.

So yes, a fantastic story and incredibly compelling plot that’s one of my favorites. Probably be a reread.

I’m absolutely loving this series and recommend reading it in the original as well as this.

Reckless Damn Series – first series

✓ Devil’s Mark #1

✓ Devil May Care #2

✓ Deal with the Devil #3

✓ Luck of the Devil #4

Damned Connections – sequel

✓ Patience #1

✓ Justice #2

✓ Temperance #3

◦ Humility #4 – Oct 31,2024

Hopeless Blessed – Seraphim sequel series

◦ Conflicted #1 -Sept 5,2024

Buy link

Temperance (Damned Connections Book 3)

Blurb

A fire mage who believes he’s broken. A vampire who believes he can fix him. A contract that’s going to change everything.

Blaise

I’ve never been good at doing the right thing.

A series of bad choices have left my life in tatters. Everyone is telling me to move on, but how can I? What I did was unforgivable, even if some believe otherwise. My whole world imploded the night I left a human dying on a classroom floor.

I don’t deserve anything good in my life, I know that. But I’m desperate for peace. Just a few moments where I can escape from everything I’ve done.

When Toby offers me a solution that promises just that, I jump at it. I never imagined having a Dom, but with Toby in that role?

Nothing has ever felt so right.

Problem is, this isn’t a relationship, it’s a contract. A temporary one.

Which means I need to guard my heart and stop myself from falling for this enigmatic vampire.

Like I said, I’ve never been good at doing the right thing.

Toby

I never learn.

Every time I see a needy sub, I can’t stop myself from offering my help. Every time, I forget that it’s a contract and fall too hard and too fast.

I’m the one who fixes them, never the one they choose to spend eternity with. That’s the way it always goes.

When Blaise bursts into my life, I already know how it’s going to end. I can’t stop myself from wanting to help him, but this man has the capacity to break me in entirely new ways. Maybe if I keep the boundaries strict between us, I can walk away at the end without another scar on my heart.

Like I said, I never learn.

Temperance is the third book in the Damned Connections series. Featuring a needy sub and a Dom who’s trying to avoid heartbreak, this spicy MM PNR romance will pull at your heartstrings. Although this series can be read as a standalone, it’s better enjoyed in order. Each book follows a different couple and has a guaranteed HEA.

• Publisher: Lark Taylor (May 16, 2024)

• Publication date: May 16, 2024

• Language: English

• Print length: 422 pages

Review: Thin Ice: MM Small Town/Hockey Romance (The Elmwood Stories Book 4) by Lane Hayes

Rating: 4.5🌈

Thin Ice sees us back in Elmwood, one of my favorite places located in a fabulous heartwarming contemporary romance series. It’s a place I can’t get enough of.

This time Lane is serving up a delicious romantic treat of age gap, fresh starts, and two great characters of incredible depth and heart. Plus hockey of course!

Bryson is the older man, father to a AHL hockey player headed to the big leagues. Lane has given Bryson surprising depths and a backstory, one I’ll leave to the book. But it makes Bryson well rounded, funny, stressing, uncertain. In other words, immediately connectable. Especially in regard to his role and relationship to his son, Jake.

Smitty is absolutely his partner in every way. Sometimes there’s an inequality in an age gap romance but here Lane gives us two men who find contentment, peace, total freedom to communicate and be themselves. We laugh, quietly watch as they question this new relationship as it develops, and it’s feels real and meaningful.

Elmwood operates as another character in itself. The places, atmosphere, school , people who are now familiar to the readers, and deeply a part of the series and story.

I wish the ending was a bit longer but then I feel that at every Elmwood story, wanting to linger on.

I absolutely recommend Thin Ice and the entire series. Read them in order. There’s another one coming to my delight!

And yes, the hockey is spot on, whether it’s on the pro level or high school. Love it.

The Elmwood Stories-Small Town/ Hockey Series :

✓ You, Again #1

✓ Next Season #2

✓ Holiday Crush #3

✓ Thin Ice #4

◦ Hot Shot #5 – Summer 2024

Buy Link

Thin Ice: MM Small Town/Hockey Romance (The Elmwood Stories Book 4)

Blurb

The hunky dad, the hockey coach, and a new start…

Bryson

Elmwood isn’t good for my love life. Hey, I’m a positive person and I have nothing but wonderful things to say about small-town living, but I haven’t had a date in years. That’s fine—my son is and always has been my number one focus.

Except now he’s grown and gone. And it’s lonely.

Okay, yes, the new hockey coach is hot and single, but he’s off-limits. Smitty’s trouble with a capital T, and his baggage might outweigh mine. Besides, we said nothing would happen after “that” night. It was a one-time, never to be repeated deal.

At least…that’s what I thought.

Smitty

Am I sad about retiring from pro hockey? Honestly, no. I can’t remember the last time I wasn’t in pain. I need a rest and I could use a distraction from unwelcome memories at home. Stat.

So…Elmwood.

Look, we all know I won’t last a whole season of coaching high school kids, but stepping in till they find a better candidate is a good temporary plan. And Bryson’s here.

There’s something about the hot dad with the sunny smile and bad dad jokes that makes me feel alive again. I’m not in the market for forever—been there, done that. Look, I’ve taken risks for my sport, but I’m not giving my heart away again. I know thin ice when I see it.

Or do I?

Thin Ice is an MM bisexual, age-gap, small-town romance featuring a silver fox dad, the new hockey coach, and a fresh start on solid ground.

• Publication date: May 14, 2024

• Language: English

• Print length: 270 pages

Review: Tears in Time (Arcadia Trust Book 4) by Christian Baines

Rating: 5🌈

It’s a series that starts with The Beast Without, meeting vampire Reyland and werewolf lover, Jorgas. It’s an excellent book, scary and powerful. And with each story, new paranormal characters and convoluted elements are added and explored, like The Arcadia Trust and then the horrifying Wound. Tears in Time is the fourth book in this increasingly complex and scarily powerful series.

Christian Baines has an incredible talent of writing supernatural or other worldly beings and making them absolutely credible. These are beautiful or stunningly horrifically broken creatures that bear no resemblance to human beings. Not in their reactions to events and emotions but in that they lack our standards of morality or ethics. They may understand the rules, the philosophical framework and how to manipulate them to their advantage. But actually have human empathy? Not really.

And for the reader to go in with expectations of the characters who are paranormal beings acting as humans, that’s a pitfall that should be discarded at the beginning. Because, Baines’ brilliantly written and compelling characters are not going to act like humans because they aren’t.

It might be hard to forget this but events will drive this element home. Betrayal after betrayal. Manifesting that each being and group of paranormals is operating on a different level and paths that humans find unfathomable . Such brilliant writing and amazing storytelling.

Chilling and brain breaking plot lines that connect and weave into something so shocking at the end that I’m just stunned that cable producers haven’t come running yet to put this into a show.

Tears in Time is a book whose characters and plots are so intricate and deeply detailed that a reader will have to have read the stories the preceded it. That foundation knowledge and sequencing of events is essential for a total understanding about the characters relationships and twists in the narratives that the reader will experience here.

I absolutely recommend reading this series and book if you’re a fan of paranormal fiction, horror stories, and twisted romance. But be warned, this is not for the faint of heart.

Arcadia Trust:

The Beast Without #1

The Orchard of Flesh #2

Sins of the Son #3

Tears in Time #4

Buy link Publisher: Amazon/Kindle Unlimited

Blurb

Moments have passed for Reylan since he crossed the barrier between worlds to rescue his werewolf lover, Jorgas. But on their return, nothing feels right. Faithful allies have vanished, and places that once offered solace are now derelict, filled with shadows and inhabited by evil.

How can Reylan find his friends, and who can be trusted once they’re found?

The world Reylan and Jorgas returned to has destroyed the one they left behind. In this new reality, someone is playing a deadly game with time, and their fates are its prize.

• Publication date: May 15, 2024

• Language: English

• Print length: 284 pages

Review: No Good Deed (Maverick Insurance Mysteries Book 1) by M. J. May

Rating: 4.5🌈

I found the Maverick Insurance Mysteries because of the author’s amazing Perfect Pixies fantasy series. Now I’m working through her catalog and so happy.

No Good Deed is the first in a contemporary mystery thriller romance series. May has so many interesting characters and a great concept to this series, one that’s guaranteed to keep the reader engaged and intrigued by the weird dynamics and edgy possibilities the loom around every scene and narrative corner.

At the heart is Perry Atherton, a victim of a horrific crime that ended in a murder and in injuries that have been life altering for him.

Perry was once going to be an astrophysicist. Now he’s dealing with a physical disability that includes brain damage, knee injury, inability to read (especially electronic devices), and a severe memory impairment. His job? A janitor in an insurance company.

May, an incredibly inventive and talented writer, takes this broken, haunted man and starts to weave a tale of perseverance and hope for just living his life, despite the loss of the life he might have had. That’s something that might be simplistic except for his odd work surroundings and that murder keeps finding him.

Add to this a detective from that past crime scene who’s reappearing now in his life along with dead bodies, and

No Good Deed just becomes this terrific combination of chilling thriller and slow burn romance where you’re never sure who exactly the bad guys are. Even after some are identified, and you suspected they were, you just know more are lurking around the scene.

What fun waiting for the next scenes and murders to come!

Another excellent May story and recommendation from me.

Maverick Insurance Mysteries:

✓ No Good Deed #1

◦ Goes Unpunished #2

◦ The Road To Hell #3

Buy Link

No Good Deed: Maverick Insurance Mysteries

Blurb:

Three years ago, Perry Atherton tried to play the hero. Turns out real life isn’t like the movies. Instead of saving someone’s life, his reward was head trauma and a blown-out knee. Perry’s dream of becoming an astrophysicist was obliterated along with his memories of that tragic night. Left with a poor memory, painful migraines, and a constant limp, he’s grateful for his custodial position at Maverick Insurance.

Perry can’t remember. Detective Nathanial Harmon can’t forget. The first night Nate met Perry is seared into his brain—Perry lying on his back, the colorful sequences of his Pride shirt glittering in the otherwise dark alley. Perry’s ragged breaths, swollen face, and hemorrhaging body their first introduction.

Perry and Nate’s futures are about to collide again—the instigator: a note Perry was never meant to find, let alone read. A murderer lurks in the office building Perry cleans, and a nameless employee appears to be next on their hit list.

Perry’s not sure he’s ready to get involved again. He tried to play Good Samaritan before with horrific consequences. But the note screaming murder won’t let his conscience remain quiet and convinces him to tempt the phrase “No good deed . . .” again.

No Good Deed is the first book in the Maverick Insurance Mystery Series. No Good Deed is an m/m contemporary mystery romance and involves a man trying to make the best of being on Karma’s bad side, the value of true friendship, demanding four-legged fur balls, the pros and cons of listening to your conscience, and finding love where you least expect. No Good Deed has a HFN ending with no cheating.

Possible trigger warnings include gun violence, past violent trauma, and murder.

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• Publication date: February 27, 2023

• Language: English

• File size: 3271 KB

• Simultaneous device usage: Unlimited

• Text-to-Speech: Enabled

• Screen Reader: Supported

• Enhanced typesetting: Enabled

• X-Ray: Not Enabled

• Word Wise: Enabled

• Sticky notes: On Kindle Scribe

• Print length: 319 pages

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